Bolton Wanderers pushing to sign Ivory Coast international ahead of September 1 deadline | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers are preparing a move for Ivorian international and Reims forward Oumar Diakite amid Max Dean's transfer saga

Bolton Wanderers are preparing a late push for Stade de Reims striker and Ivorian international Oumar Diakité before the end of the window, with Steven Schumacher looking to add the final pieces to his Trotters puzzle.

According to Pete O'Rourke via X, Bolton are pushing to complete a deal for Reims forward Diakité before the deadline in a few days.

The Championship newbies have had an incredibly busy window after earning promotion back to the second tier via the play-offs last season, and are doing everything they can to retain their place in the division, with Diakité seemingly the next target in their crosshairs.

Bolton Wanderers are pushing to sign Stade de Reims striker Oumar Diakité amid Max Dean deal

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Bolton have been one of the most active clubs in the EFL this summer, bringing in some 13 new faces to the mix following their return to the Championship after seven years away.

Head coach Schumacher made his desire for more attacking additions clear last month, with each of Johnny Kenny, Mason Burstow, Marcuss Forss, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Corey Blackett-Taylor, and Rob Apter having left the club following the end of last season.

The Trotters have since added the likes of Kyliane Dong, Gaizka Larrazabal, Ryan Hardie, Samuel Iling-Junior, and Jayden Nelson to the mix, but don't look to be quite done there, with Diakite now firmly in their sights.

Bolton have been pushing to complete a deal for KAA Gent's Max Dean previously, with Football League World having exclusively revealed that he appeared on Millwall's radar before Bolton's, as that deal has since gone quiet.

Whether Diakité, 22, is an alternative to Dean, or just another attacking option for Bolton, remains to be seen, as this deal is one to keep an eye on heading into the final days of the window.

Why Bolton Wanderers want to sign Oumar Diakité

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Diakité, at 22, already has a lot of first-team football under his belt in spells in four different countries, including his native Ivory Coast with ASEC Mimosas, Austria with RB Salzburg's youth team, FC Liefering, France with Reims, and Belgium with Cercle Brugge.

The 31-capped Ivorian international spent the second half of last season on loan in Belgium, where he scored seven and assisted twice in 26 appearances across all competitions for the club, helping Cercle Brugge remain in the top flight.

With Reims in the French second tier, Diakité could move on before the deadline, as Championship rivals Lincoln City had launched a bid worth €3 million (£2.6 million), including bonuses for the striker previously.

Now, Bolton are looking to get his signature over the line in the coming days, where he will provide another option up top to Sam Dalby, Hardie, and potentially Dean.

How have Bolton Wanderers fans reacted to the Oumar Diakite update?

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With the news that Bolton are pushing to complete a deal for Diakité surfacing online, Trotters fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts and opinions on the potential deal.

This Bolton fan is not a fan of the potential move for Diakité, believing the move to be a panic buy, and instead urged the club to sign Dean instead.

Another Bolton fan who is not wholly taken on the notion of Diakité's addition.

The general consensus from Trotters supporters appears to be that Dean should be the priority over Diakite, though whether that will transpire remains to be seen.

In response to the potential addition of both Diakité and Dean, this Bolton fan believes their club could be in for a great season if they can get the deals over the line.